87 per cent prefer online tutorials to perfect new skill
Brits now consult ‘How To’ online tutorials to learn something new, with top life hack search terms including how to play the guitar, fold a bed sheet and remove a stain.
A study of 2,000 adults found 87 per cent prefer to use online tutorials to perfect a new skill because they can revisit the instructions time and time again.
Most frequently used ‘How To’ videos include how to put in contact lenses, get stains out of clothing, get further on a computer game, and shave for the first time. While others want to watch how to learn French, type, bake cookies, apply gel nails, and poach an egg.
Alex Smyrliadi, content manager for Vision Direct, which carried out the research said: “We all spend a lot of time online these days and our attention spans are getting shorter and shorter.
“Everyone welcomes human interaction, but it can be hard to learn something new when someone explains it just once.
“Video content can be replayed whenever, wherever, making the information a lot easier to digest.
“It’s almost second-nature to us as a format, as we’re all used to engaging with it through social media already.
The study also revealed that other popular ‘How To’ videos include knitting and packing a suitcase.
Those keen on learning DIY skills have watched videos to teach themselves how to put shelves up, wire a plug and fix the dishwasher or washing machine.
While adults who want to take control of their looks have used tutorials to learn how to apply make-up, mix up a face mask, and do a French plait.
It also emerged two-thirds of adults rely on technology first and foremost if they want to learn anything new, and more than half would rather turn to Google or YouTube for this than ask a person to help or train them.
Seven in 10 adults also class themselves as ‘visual learners’, finding it easier to remember instructions if they can see them expressed by someone else.
But once seeing someone do a demonstration, regardless of whether this is in person or on video, more than four in 10 adults would be too embarrassed to ask for any further help.
Two-thirds of adults polled, via OnePoll, enjoy watching tutorials in the comfort of their own home, and four in 10 like the fact no-one can see them making mistakes.
The same percentage like that videos are easier to digest than other methods of learning.
In response to these survey findings, Vision Direct has launched a series of How To Put In Contact Lenses videos, [https://www.visiondirect.co.
Smyrliadi added: “As with anything you learn yourself, just because you’re taught it in person doesn’t mean you immediately pick it up and can then do that task perfectly first time around.
“We know the old adage ‘practice makes perfect’ stands true, and that to learn anything well, whether that’s putting in contact lenses, doing a bit of DIY or poaching an egg, you need to do that thing more than once.”
TOP 50 ‘HOW TO’ VIDEOS
1. How to use software
2. How to get stains out of clothing
3. How to do things on computer games e.g. find rare stuff, beat people etc
4. Make up tutorials
5. How to make a face mask
6. How to bake cookies
7. How to get past a hard bit of a video game
8. How to curl hair
9. The perfect way to poach an egg
10. How to fix a washing machine
11. How to lose weight fast
12. How to cut a man’s hair with clippers
13. How to make pancakes
14. How to Photoshop a picture
15. How to draw
16. How to set up broadband
17. How to bake a Victoria sponge
18. How best to pack a suitcase
19. How to French plait
20. How to knit
21. How to play guitar
22. How to remove gum from clothing
23. How to remove a tick
24. How to tie a tie / bowtie
25. How to put shelves up
26. Learning musical chords
27. How to reduce swelling
28. How to fold a shirt
29. How to train a puppy
30. How to build a planter
31. How to remove gel nails at home
32. How to wire a plug
33. How to fix a dishwasher
34. How to floss / dance
35. How to speak French
36. How to treat a burn
37. How to fold a sheet
38. How to solve a Rubik’s cube
39. How to change a flat bicycle tyre
40. How to make a bed quickly
41. How to put a picture up
42. How to apply gel / shellac nails
43. How to build your own shed
44. Soccer skills
45. How to make slime
46. How to put in contact lenses
47. How to get a baby to sleep
48. How to type
49. How to shave for the first time
50. How to break into your own house
